Scripture Reading: Ephesians 5:8-14
Christ Will Give You Light
Intro.
1. Imagine the earth totally dark. Then, God spoke light into existence, Gen. 1:2-5. God is light (1 John 1:5).
2. Light (Jesus) shines in the dark world and dispels the darkness, John 1:4-5, 9-10; John 8:12; 9:5; 1 John 2:8.
3. When we follow Jesus we have life-giving Light, John 8:12.
I. CALLED OUT OF DARKNESS INTO LIGHT, Eph. 5:11 (1 Pet. 2:9).
A. Darkness of Ignorance, Eph. 4:17-18.
1. Foolish hearts are darkened by unbelief, Rom. 1:21.
2. Minds blinded, 2 Cor. 4:4 (Matt. 13:13-15).
3. Truth gives light, 1 John 1:6-7; 2 Cor. 4:6.
B. Darkness of Immorality, Eph. 4:19.
1. Dark minds produce dark (sinful) living, Rom. 1:24-32.
2. Claiming light not enough; live light’s love, 1 John 2:9-11.
C. Gospel Call: Conversion from Dark to Light, Acts 26:17-18, 20.
1. Delivered from the power of darkness, Col. 1:13.
a. Christians are light in the Lord, Eph. 5:8.
b. Christians are the light of the world, Matt. 5:14-16.
2. Learn Christ and live a new life, Eph. 4:20-24.
II. WHEN DOES CHRIST GIVE YOU LIGHT? (WHEN DOES HIS LIGHT SHINE ON YOU?) Eph. 5:14 (11-14)
A. When You Walk as a Child of Light, Eph. 5:8.
1. How? By following Jesus, John 8:12; 12:35-36.
2. In His light by believing and doing His words, John 12:44-48.
3. Practice truth, 1 John 1:5-7.
B. When You Bear the Fruit of the Spirit, Eph. 5:9-10.
1. Seed (word of God) in good and honest heart, Luke 8:15.
2. Follow the Spirit’s word, Gal. 6:16, 18, 22-26.
a. All goodness, righteousness, and truth (5:9).
b. Approve (to test, find out) what the Lord accepts, 5:10 (Rom. 12:2).
3. Abide in Christ (word in us) and bear fruit, John 15:7-8.
C. When You Refuse to have Fellowship with Darkness, 5:11-13.
1. No sharing (communion) of light with darkness, 2 Cor. 6:14 (Eph. 5:7); 2 John 9-11.
2. The works of darkness are exposed by light of truth, John 3:19-21. (God has no darkness in Him, 1 John 1:5).
a. Unfruitful (John 15:5-6), shameful (Eph. 5:3-4), and exposed by the light of truth (Eph. 5:5-6).
b. Opposite of light (truth); Know and live truth, John 8:31-32.
c. Reprove (warn, rebuke) and expose them, Eph. 5:11, 13 (Rom. 16:17).
D. When You Wake Up from Spiritual Sleep and Death, Eph. 5:14.
1. Conviction brings correction, Luke 15:17-20 (Joel 1:5).
2. Wake up, put on armor of light, live decently, Rom. 13:11-14.
3. Be diligent and careful in worship, cf. 1 Cor. 11:30-31 (27-29).
Conclusion
1. Sin fills the world with great darkness.
2. We are filled with great darkness when we refuse “the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ,” 2 Cor. 4:4 (Matt. 6:22-23).
a. God commanded light to shine out of darkness, 2 Cor. 4:6.
b. God sent Light into the world that dispels the darkness of sin and gives eternal life. The Light that gives Life is Jesus, Matt. 4:16 (14-15).
3. Walk in His light and have eternal life (John 8:12).
By: Joe R. Price
Posted April 5, 2022